Atlético lose Diego for Lazio return

Club Atlético de Madrid must make do without the playmaking skills of Diego for Thursday's UEFA Europa League round of 32 second-leg encounter with S.S. Lazio after the Brazilian sustained a torn thigh muscle.

The 26-year-old, who is currently on loan from VfL Wolfsburg, suffered the injury in the 62nd minute of Atlético's 1-1 Liga draw at Real Sporting de Gijón on Sunday and will undergo further tests to determine whether or not he will be fit to feature against FC Barcelona this weekend.

Diego, who has made 20 Spanish top-flight appearances for Atlético, set up Falcao to score the second goal during their 3-1 first-leg win against Lazio in Rome last week and, having registered twice in seven UEFA Europa League outings so far this term, will be missed by coach Diego Simeone in the Vicente Calderón return.

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